A member of Hindu community was arrested over alleged blasphemy in Hub, Lasbela on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Prakash Kumar was arrested after locals complained that he allegedly sent blasphemous content via WhatsApp.

“Prakash s/o Prem Chand has been arrested after local people accused him of blasphemy,” SSP Lasbela Zia Mandokhel confirmed to Express Tribune.

The cellphone from which the allegedly shared blasphemous content has been seized. Moreover, a local court has sent the suspect to jail for further interrogation in the case.

Outraged by the incident, local people have shut down their shops and offices and resorted to protest against the accused. Charged protesters staged a demonstration outside a police station in Hub, Lasbela demanding the closure of the shop owned by Prakash.

DSP Lasbela Jan Mohammad Khosa and other officials sustained injuries as the protesters hurled stones at them during the demonstration.

Blasphemy in Pakistan is punishable by the death penalty. Charges of blasphemy are a very sensitive issue in Pakistan. Merely accusations and allegations of blasphemy can galvanize people to resort to mob violence.

According to Center for Research and Security Studies think-tan, vigilantes have murdered 65 people over blasphemy allegations since 1990.